By Michael P. Walsh
Special to the Voice
Mayor Dorinda Borer recognized FDNY 9/11 survivor Mickey Kross and read his moving story during a candlelight vigil at the city’s 9/11 memorial Sept. 11.
Kross, a retired New York City Fire Department lieutenant who now lives in West Haven, responded to the attack on the twin towers in New York’s World Trade Center complex and survived the collapse of the north tower.
On Sept. 11, 2001, Kross’ firehouse, Engine Company 16 on Manhattan’s East 29th Street, was dispatched at 8:50 a.m. to the trade center complex. After reporting to a fire command post in the north tower’s lobby, Kross, then 55, and his firefighters headed for another command post on the 23rd floor.
Kross then received orders to evacuate. He was descending stairwell B on the north tower’s fourth floor when he heard a loud roar and the building collapsed.
A few hours later, sheltered by the stairway, Kross was among 12 FDNY members and two others who emerged relatively unscathed.
Kross later donated the black FDNY lieutenant helmet he wore on 9/11 to the National September 11 Memorial & Museum at ground zero.
West Haven observed the 23rd anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks with a flag-raising ceremony at the Bradley Point Park flagpole, followed by the candlelight vigil at the Richard S. Gabrielle Sept. 11 Memorial on the boardwalk next to the former Savin Rock Conference Center.
Members of the West Haven Rotary Club distributed candles and programs at the granite monument, which was paid for by the service club in 2002. It was designed by Harold J. Schaller of H.K. Peacock Memorials Inc. in Valhalla, New York.
Gabrielle, 50, of West Haven, was killed during the attack on the twin towers. An insurance broker at Aon Corp., he was last seen on the south tower’s 78th floor.
Rick Spreyer, Borer’s chief of staff, served as the master of ceremonies of the flag-raising and vigil.
The flag-raising by the West Haven Fire Department Honor Guard honored the memory of the nearly 3,000 people who died in the attacks and included remarks by city and state leaders, including Borer and Reps. Charles J. Ferraro, R-West Haven, and Bill Heffernan, D-West Haven.
It also included the national anthem and “God Bless America” sung by West Haven High School senior Zoe Powell.
The vigil featured a presentation of the colors by the West Haven Police Honor Guard, taps played by retired West Shore Fire Department Lt. Kevin McKeon and a remembrance prayer by Vertical Church Senior Pastor Ken Vance, as well as Celtic folk performances by Irish singer-songwriter Liz McNicholl, including “The Bravest,” a tribute to the heroes of 9/11.
It also included a wreath-laying and a performance of “Amazing Grace” by the New Haven County Firefighters Emerald Society Pipes & Drums.
Declared Patriot Day by Congress in 2002, the city flew flags at half-staff in recognition of the National Day of Remembrance.